Digital Equity in theClassroomDigital Equity in theClassroom
Sally BryanSally Bryan
EDMT 330EDMT 330
Winter 2007Winter 2007
The Digital DivideThe Digital Divide
Children with a low SES, ethnic or racialminorities, and girls…
Have less access to computers andtechnology
Have a lower quality technologyexperiences
Are often subject to stereotypes by theirteachers (consciously or unconsciously)
Access to TechnologyAccess to Technology
Access to technologycan be defined indifferent ways:Access to technologycan be defined indifferent ways:
Ratio of students-to-computersRatio of students-to-computers
Time spent oncomputersTime spent oncomputers
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Access to TechnologyAccess to Technology
Students from diverseethnic backgroundsand low socio-economic status oftenhave restrictedaccess to computersat school and manydo not have acomputer in theirhome.Students from diverseethnic backgroundsand low socio-economic status oftenhave restrictedaccess to computersat school and manydo not have acomputer in theirhome.
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Access to TechnologyAccess to Technology
The U.S. Department ofEducation recommendsthe student-to-computerratio in a school be 5-to-1.The U.S. Department ofEducation recommendsthe student-to-computerratio in a school be 5-to-1.
Low SES schools have ahigher ratio of students-to-computers thanstudents in High SESschools.Low SES schools have ahigher ratio of students-to-computers thanstudents in High SESschools.
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Computer and TechnologyExperiences in the Classroom.Computer and TechnologyExperiences in the Classroom.
Students in Low SESschools often havetheir technologyexperiences limited to“drills and skills”which can have anegative impact onstudent achievement.Students in Low SESschools often havetheir technologyexperiences limited to“drills and skills”which can have anegative impact onstudent achievement.
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Computer and TechnologyExperiences in the ClassroomComputer and TechnologyExperiences in the Classroom
Students in High SESschools havetechnologyexperiences thatpromote criticalthinking and have apositive impact onstudent achievement.Students in High SESschools havetechnologyexperiences thatpromote criticalthinking and have apositive impact onstudent achievement.
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StereotypesStereotypes
Many teachers hold stereotypes that girls andstudents of diverse ethnic backgrounds and lowSES students are not interested in, do not havea need for education in technology or cannotlearn how to use technology.Many teachers hold stereotypes that girls andstudents of diverse ethnic backgrounds and lowSES students are not interested in, do not havea need for education in technology or cannotlearn how to use technology.
These students tend to receive instruction inwhich the computer maintains control of thelearning opportunities instead of allowing theuser to maintain control of their learning.These students tend to receive instruction inwhich the computer maintains control of thelearning opportunities instead of allowing theuser to maintain control of their learning.
How We Can Narrow the DigitalEquity GapHow We Can Narrow the DigitalEquity Gap
Acknowledge equity issues when planningfor technology acquisition.Acknowledge equity issues when planningfor technology acquisition.
Equal access to computers and technologyshould be given to all students and teachers.Equal access to computers and technologyshould be given to all students and teachers.
Provide technology access at times outsidethe normal school day.Provide technology access at times outsidethe normal school day.
Provide parents and other members of thecommunity access to technology.Provide parents and other members of thecommunity access to technology.
How We Can Narrow the DigitalEquity GapHow We Can Narrow the DigitalEquity Gap
Explain the role technology plays in theoverall education program.Explain the role technology plays in theoverall education program.
Technological literacy plays a role in studentlearning and preparing for a higher educationand the workplace. Explaining the role ofliteracy to parents and community memberswill help gain their support in theimplementation and expansion of technologyrequirements.Technological literacy plays a role in studentlearning and preparing for a higher educationand the workplace. Explaining the role ofliteracy to parents and community memberswill help gain their support in theimplementation and expansion of technologyrequirements.
How We Can Narrow the DigitalEquity GapHow We Can Narrow the DigitalEquity Gap
Use technology as a way to structurecritical thinking lessons for all students.Use technology as a way to structurecritical thinking lessons for all students.
Students who use technology for projects thatrequire higher level skills are empowered aslearners and as thinkers.Students who use technology for projects thatrequire higher level skills are empowered aslearners and as thinkers.
Relate technology lessons to the realworld to give students an understanding ofthe purpose of the assignments.Relate technology lessons to the realworld to give students an understanding ofthe purpose of the assignments.
The Education Reform Network offers atoolkit that points educators to free orinexpensive resources that address thedigital divide in the classroom. Click onthe information button below to access thetoolkit.The Education Reform Network offers atoolkit that points educators to free orinexpensive resources that address thedigital divide in the classroom. Click onthe information button below to access thetoolkit.
For more information about whatyou can do in your classroom…For more information about whatyou can do in your classroom…
Works CitedWorks Cited
Brown, Monica R., Higgins, Kyle & Hartley, Kendall. Teachers andTechnology Equity. Teaching Exceptional Children 33(4) (2001): 32 – 9.Brown, Monica R., Higgins, Kyle & Hartley, Kendall. Teachers andTechnology Equity. Teaching Exceptional Children 33(4) (2001): 32 – 9.
Rockman, Saul. The Leader’s Guide to Education Technology.EDvancenet. The Consortium for School Networking. 24 Mar. 2007<http://www.edvancenet.org/res_guide_pdf.shtml>.Rockman, Saul. The Leader’s Guide to Education Technology.EDvancenet. The Consortium for School Networking. 24 Mar. 2007<http://www.edvancenet.org/res_guide_pdf.shtml>.
Solomon, Gwen. Digital Equity: It’s Not Just about Access Anymore.Technology & Learning 15 Apr. 2002.<http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/04/equity1.php>.Solomon, Gwen. Digital Equity: It’s Not Just about Access Anymore.Technology & Learning 15 Apr. 2002.<http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/04/equity1.php>.
The Five Dimensions of Digital Equity. Education Reform Network. 2003.National Institute for Community Innovations. 20 Mar. 2007.The Five Dimensions of Digital Equity. Education Reform Network. 2003.National Institute for Community Innovations. 20 Mar. 2007.